Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments



Nov. 20, 1945. E. BAZNER 2,389,481

SAFETY ATTACHING MEANS FOR EAR AND LIKE ORNAMENTS Filed Sept. 27, 1944 INVENTOR F I 6. EueENE BAZNER 12;. a. wu

ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 20, 1945 OFFICE SAFETY ATTAGHING MEANS FOR EAR I AND LIKE ORNAMENTS Eugene Bazner, Providence, R. I. Application September 27, 1944,, sale! no. 555,961

8 Claims.

My invention relates to a safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments adapted to receive any ear lobe or other object of any range of thicknesses which may be locked in clamping position toifirmly bind the ornament to the ear lobe of specific thickness :so'inserted between the clamp portions thereof.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an attaching means of this type which comprises two pieces only. preferably of single thickness throughout and in which the pivoting means are formed as integral parts of said two pieces.

A further object of my invention is to provide a structure in which any downward pull on the ornament and/or attaching means tends to clamp it morefirmly to the ear lobe orother object.

, A further object of my invention is to provide a device wherein the only really grippab'le portion thereof is the manipulating portionand all of the rest of the structure is smooth without any protuberance to catch on the ear, hands or other object.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction in which both members thereof are resilient. My invention includes a U shaped member adapted to straddle the ear lobe or other obJ'ect and a clamping member pivoted on the inner arm thereof against the outer arm of the U shaped member. In myimp'roved construction I preferably employ very thin metal in both portions but preferably centrally channel each portion so as to give it the maximum strength as well as resiliency for such thin sheets. With this construction it is apparent that both members are readily resilient, both in their adjusting and clamping actions.

A further feature of my invention relates to the structure I employ for latching the clamping member in a clamping, position, both par-ts being longitudinallyslotted for this purpose to provide a resilient yielding action in moving from one adjusted position to another. This resiliency of the parts assures minimum of wear on the material and the prevention of excessive moving, strains thereon which tend to break the delicate parts. H p

A further object of my invention is to provide a device in which the clamping member may be readily urged for adjustment to a different clamping position relative to a pawl on the ornament or attaching means,

- A further object of my invention is to provide a latching means in which the lips providing the pawl elements comprise the edges of the inner in to the transverse gripping grooves formed in the lower arm of the clam-ping member.

A .fnr ther object of my invention is to provide a structure wherein the ornament itself may be "formed as an integral part of the U shaped member. 7

A further obgiect of my invention is to provide a construction in which the clamping member may pivot to a wide open position permitting the insertion of an ear lobe or other object Between the ends of the U-shaped member. I

These and such other objects of my invention as mayhereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the embodiments thereof such as are shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, v

Fig; l is aside elevation of my improved attaching means and attached ornament inuposition clamping the ornament to a thin lobe of an ear.

2 is aside elevation similar to Fig. 1 showthe positions the parts assume when clamping the ear ornament to a thicker lobe of, an ear.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '4 is a reverse plan view of the parts in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 but with no ornament;

Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of my improved attaching means with an ornamentformed integrally with the outer arm of the U shaped member.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the clamping member.

In the drawing, wherein like characters of reference generally indicate like parts throughout, 10 generally indicates a self-adjusting attaching means for ear or like ornaments constructed in accordance with my invention. My invention includes a resilient U shaped base member 12 having an outer arm 14, an inner arm [6 and a lower arcuate portion I8 anda resilient arcuately bent clamping member 20. Said U shaped member has means 22 on the outer arm l4 thereof to engage the outer surface 24 of an ear lobe 26 or other object, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 comprising the large pad 22 adapted to be soldered to, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament 28; in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being soldered to said pad by the solder 30 and in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 having thev ornament 28 formed as an integral part thereof. The inner arm "5 has a pivot forming portion 32 formed on the end thereof, in the preferred embodiment, comprising an outwardly and inwardly rolled over tip 32 substantially in arm of the U shaped member cupped so as to sink in horizontal alignment with said pad or means 22.

As stated hitherto, I preferably make the U shaped member out of thin metal but shape it so as to be both resilient and as strong as possible. For this purpose the U shaped member is inwardly cupped or formed arcuate in section as shown at 34 in Figs. 3 to 5, preferably substantially from inner to outer end thereof and particularly on the inner arm I6 thereof to provide inwardly inclined lips 36 on each edge thereof, at least on the inner arm thereof, and a longitudinal slot 33 to provide resiliency in the inner arm l6 thereof to permit said lips 36 to function as resilient pawl means in the manner to be described.

The clamping member 26 is also preferably constructed of thin stock also being cupped to provide the side walls 40 for strengthening purposes preferably throughout the length thereof and anupper end transversely slotted as at 42 to receive the rolled over end 32 of the inner arm I6 of the U shaped member rolled over as at 44 after being inserted through said slot 42 to provide means for pivotally mounting the clamping member 26 on the end of the inner arm l6 of the U shaped member :2 although it is apparent that any other suitable type of pivot forming means than the transverse slot 42 shown may be employed. Said clamping member has an upper arm 46 extending outwardly, preferably substantially radially, from said pivot forming portion 42 when in completely closed position, an arcuate elbow portion 48 adapted to clamp an ear lobe 26 or other object inserted between the arms l4 and l 6 of said U shaped member against said pad or other means 22 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, having a roughened outer surface 50 preferably comprising the transverse gripping grooves 56 on the outer surface thereof. With this construction it is apparent that the clamping member 20 is capable of greater clamping action if any down- 'ward pull is exerted on any part of the ornament or attaching means the roughened portion 50 engaging the ear lobe'26 and causing the clamping member 20 to clamp said lobe 26 or other object tighter against said means 22. The side walls 46 are extended as at 52 to project arcuately inwardly from said elbow portion 48 to form a lower arm 54 and to embrace the inner arm I 6 of said U shaped member between them forming between them the open portion 56 for this purpose. Each wall 52 is preferably provided with a series of aligned transverse flutes 56 on the innersurface thereof for receiving the inwardly inclined resilient lips 36 of the inner arm 16- of the U shaped member l2 to retain said clamping member 20 in adjusted clamping position. In the embodiment shown, said flutes 58 are stamped to extend all the way through the walls 52 of the lower arm 54 of the clamping member. It is apparent that these grooves or flutes form ratchet means 58 to resiliently receive the pawls 36 within them, the resilient ratchets 58 moving for adjustment relative to the resilient pawls 36.

I also provide means 60, in the preferred embodiment, comprising a transverse bridge 60 joining the ends of said walls 52 together beyond the inner arm iii of said U shaped member to pivot said clamping member l2.

To attach it is obvious that it is merely necessary to grasp the bridge or other means 60 on the inner end of the clamping member 20 and raisev the clamping member 20 to its innermost position, when the lobe 26 of the ear may be inserted between said elbow 48 and clamping means 22. When the lobe 26 has been so inserted, whether it comprises the thin lobe 26 shown in Fig. 1 or the thick lobe 26' shown in Fig. 2, a downward pull is exerted on said manipulating means 60 to urge the clamping member 20 outwardly to cause the elbow portion 48 to clamp the lobe 26 of the ear against the pad 22 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the amount of movement of the clamping member depending on the thickness of the lobe 26 or 26' as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 when the pawls 36 lit in their most adjacent flutes 58 to latch or look the attaching,

means in clamping position on said ear lobe. To detach it is obvious that it is merely necessary to again grasp the manipulating means 60, pivot the clamping member 20 to its innermost position when the attaching means and the attached ornament may be readily removed from the ear lobe or other object either dropping off itself or on a slight downward pull on said attaching means l0.

As stated and as shown in Fig. 5, the ornament 28 may be formed integrally from the same piece of metal as the U shaped member I2,

It is thus apparent that I have provided a novel type of adjustable attaching means for ear or like ornaments with the advantages explained above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having an enlarged pad on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in an outwardly rolled over tipsubstantially in alignment with said pad, said member being arcuate in section substantially from inner to outer end to provide inwardly inclined lips on each edge thereof and having a longitudinal slot to provide resiliency in the inner arm thereof, and a resilient arcuately bent clamping member having side walls, a transversely slottedend receiving the rolled over end of said U shaped member to pivotally mount said clamping member on said inner arm, an upper arm extending substantially radially outwardly therefrom when in completely closed position, an arcuate elbow portion adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said pad having transverse gripping grooves on the outer surface thereof capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means, and side walls projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion to embrace the inner arm of said U shaped member and to form a lower arm, each wall having a series of aligned transverse locking flutes on the inner surface thereof for resiliently receiving the inclined resilient lips of the outer arm of said U shaped member to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position and a transverse bridge joining the ends of said walls together beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member.

2. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and aninner arm terminating in a pivot forming portion substantially in alignment with said means, said member being arcuate in section along the inner arm thereof to provide inwardly inclined lips on each edge thereof and having a longitudinal slot to provide resiliency in said lips, and a resilient arcuately bent clamping member having an end having cooperating pivot means thereon for pivotally mounting it on the end of the inner arm of said U shapedmember, an upper arm extending substantially radially outwardly therefrom when in completely closed position, an arcuate elbow portion adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said means capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means and side walls projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion to embrace the inner arm of said U shaped member and to form a lower arm, each wall having a series of aligned transverse flutes on the inner surface thereof for resiliently receiving the inclined resilient lips of the outer arm of said U shaped member to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position and a transverse bridge joining the ends of said walls together beyond the inner arm of said 30 U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member.

3. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising .a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in a pivot forming portion substantially in alignment with said means, an edge of said inner arm forming a resilient pawl, and an arcuately bent clamping member having an end having cooperating pivot means thereon for pivotally mounting it on the end of the inner arm of said U shaped member, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow portion adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object in serted between the arms of said U shaped memher against said means capable'of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means having transverse gripping grooves thereon and a resilient lower arm projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion having a ratchet edge for resiliently securing said lip pawl between the teeth thereof to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position, and means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member.

4. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other 5 object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in a pivot forming portion substantially in alignment with said means, an edge of said inner arm forming a resilient pawl, and

an arcuately bent clamping member having an end having cooperating pivot means thereon for pivotally mounting it on the end of the inner arm of said U shaped member, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow from said arcuate elbow portion having a ratchet edge for resiliently securing said lip pawl between the teeth thereof to retain said clamping memher in adjusted clamping position, and means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member.

' 5. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engagethe outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in a pivot forming portion substantially in alignment with said means,and an arcuately bent clamping member having an end having cooperating pivot means thereon for pivotally mounting it on the end of the inner arm of said U shaped member, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow portion having a, roughened outer surface adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said means capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exterted on said ornament or attaching means and a resilient lower arm projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion, means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clampin member, and cooperating pawl and ratchet means formed on the inner arm of said U shaped member and the lower arm of said clamping member to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position.

6. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in a pivot forming portion substantially in alignment with said means, and an arcuately bent clamping member having an end having cooperating pivot means thereon for pivotally mounting it on the end of the inner arm of said U shaped member, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow portion adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said means capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means and a resilient lower arm projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion, means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member, and cooperating pawl and ratchet means formed on said U shaped member and said clamping member to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position.

'7. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments, comprising a resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof to engage the outer surface of the ear or other object, adapted to be soldered, integral with or otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in an outwardly rolled over tip substantially in alignment with said means, and

an arcuately bent clamping member having a transversely slotted end receiving the rolled over end of said U shaped member to pivotally mount said clamping member on said inner arm, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow portion having a roughened outer surface adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said means capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means, and a resilient lower arm projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion, means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member, and cooperating pawl and ratchet means formed on the inner arm of said U shaped member and the lower arm of said clamping member to retain said clamping memher in adjusted clamping position.

8. Safety attaching means for ear and like ornaments comprising a, resilient U shaped base member having means on the outer arm thereof otherwise secured to the ornament and an inner arm terminating in an outwardly rolled over tip substanially in alignment with said means, and an arcuately bent clamping member having a transversely slotted end receiving the rolled over end of said U shaped member to pivotally mount said clamping member on said inner arm, an upper arm extending outwardly therefrom, an arcuate elbow portion adapted to clamp an ear lobe or other object inserted between the arms of said U shaped member against said means capable of greater clamping action on any downward pull exerted on said ornament or attaching means, and a resilient lower arm projecting arcuately inwardly from said arcuate elbow portion, means on said lower arm extending beyond the inner arm of said U shaped member for manipulating the clamping member, and cooperating pawl and ratchet means formed on said U shaped member and said clamping member to retain said clamping member in adjusted clamping position.

EUGENE BAZNER. 

